When Priyanka Gandhi’s clothes became a major political story last week, I realised sadly that it was time for me to stop being a conscientious objector to dynastic democracy. You cannot argue with the box office. And, if Priyanka’s fashion sense can become the subject of full-length TV shows, we can be sure that the box office loves her. The male anchor of the show I watched could hardly contain his excitement as images of Priyanka in handloom saris of varied hue dissolved into each other juxtaposed with images of her famous grandmother in similar saris. “Yes. She dresses like her grandmother,” the anchor said rapturously, “but she is a modern young woman who has to appeal to young Indians of today, so when she went to cast her vote in the constituency of New Delhi, she wore a dark t-shirt and black jeans. And, she looked beautiful, absolutely beautiful.” Another channel invited a group of serious fashion designers to discuss the matter. They pronounced Priyanka as ‘India’s new style icon’.

This was one of many tributes paid to Priyanka since she started campaigning for her family in Rae Bareli and Amethi. And, since she became accessible on a daily basis to the swarms of TV reporters who followed her every move. After her interview with Barkha Dutt I got calls from important politicians who said, “Didn’t you think she was wonderful? Didn’t you think she was Prime Minister material? You have to admit that she is much better than her brother. She is the real Gandhi.”

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